So What's Next?

[Walleye Express]

EUCLID -- The Coast Guard investigative unit is looking for two suspects who robbed a Euclid fisherman on Lake Erie Monday night around 7 p.m.

In Euclid, fishermen are watching the other boats on Lake Erie much more closely.

The innocent act of fishing has suddenly become a target for predators with a weapon.

The boating community has been buzzing about the perch fisherman who was robbed at gunpoint on the lake by two men.

George Degener, Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist, said that the suspects were in a 19-foot boat and pulled a gun on the fisherman.

The pair demanded the victim's wallet, cell phone and his boat keys.

The suspects then dumped the cell phone and the boat keys in the lake and escaped with cash and the man's fish.

Degener added, "Luckily, the victim had a spare set of ignition keys and was able to start his engine and return to the marina where he called for help."

As the fishermen returned from the lake today, many were shaking their heads in disbelief.

Don Howell had been perch fishing with his buddies, Dan Szanyi and Eric Boyd.

Howell said, "You'd never think that a robber on the water was possible. But the world has come down to that."

Eric Boyd added, "I've heard of carjacking before, but never heard of a boatjacking. This is ridiculous."

Fisherman George Crosier said, "Oh, yeah it's scary out there for somebody to do that."

Crosier added, "I've heard of them doing that deer hunting. They pull guns on people. But not on the water. I've never heard of it on the water."

At Wildwood Marina in Euclid, some fishermen are now talking about taking guns onboard for protection.

Larry Bolton said, "To think I can come out here and get robbed is sickening. Makes me think about carrying a gun with me or something."

Earl Noonan nodded in agreement and said, "Yeah it's scary. It's not safe anywhere anymore."

Debbie Zeledonis said, "In all the years I've been coming here you never heard of anything like that. Down here, everybody knows everybody. Robbery on the water is disgusting."

Zeledonis added, "We fishermen trust each other. It's always been that way and suddenly that trust is getting ripped away."

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call the Coast Guard 9th District Command Center.

© 2009 WKYC-TV

[Adam Bomb]

It never seems to amaze me what some people will do. Geeze...I sure hope they catch the perps soon. Probably got the idea from the media coverage of the Somali Pirates.

[Priority1]

I sure hope they catch the SOBs. Maybe they will try it with some duck hunters, and get a load of steel shot in the face.

[Adam Bomb]

Guarenteed if they try that crap with this marsh rat!!!

[1mainiac]

They better not forget to take my flare gun cause I will use it have 6 tries to set em on fire.

[Walleye Express]

By the way, I just read that they caught the two (white) Lake Erie Samalies on Thursday. They were perch fishing right where they committed the robbery when apprehended. Probably just needed a few extra bucks for outboard gas to stay on that hot perch spot. Couple of real Bright Bulbs in those dark Crania's. Jeez.......... :no:

[spoonfed]

Everyone on our boat has a ccw so they might get fed a 40 with a wallet! Sorry excuse for the human race, i hope they keel hull them!

[Adam Bomb]

Well thats good to hear Dan. I sure hope they didnt breed!!!

[Walleye Express]

Ya know whats funny? About 8 years ago I had a little scary episode at one of the Saginaw River launching areas, around 3:30am in the morning. So I went and got my CCL and started carrying whenever I fished at night. Well, I happened to mention this incident and what I did on one of the other fishing boards back then and all hell broke loose. That thread had over 3,000 hits and about 125 replies. Most of them giving me grief for carrying a gun while fishing. Seems both the attitude and the reasons for the attitudes have changed some in that short 8 years since then.

But it's a damn shame socially that things are like they are now. IMV these are the good old days when it comes to fishing. I know for a fact overall we have better fishing, along with the boats and the tools to catch them. Yet the total experience when participating in our sport seems to be frought with new un-friendly attitudes both at the ramp and on the water. Not by all of course, but it tends to makes one less approchable and less willing to help or approach others. Like I said, damn shame.

[GLF]

You know whats a shame.....When you park at a ramp, fish for the day, come back and your vehicle has been broke into. This happens alot at BH.